A Louisville native has been named the 13th president of Churchill Downs racetrack.Kevin Flanery joined Churchill Downs, Incorporated four years ago as vice-president of national public affairs.Flanery replaces Steve Sexton, who took another position in the company.Flanery says he'll continue to pursue innovative ways to bring more people to the historic track. He also plans to continue lobbying for the legalization of expanded gaming at horse tracks, which he says is critical to the indstry's survival."If we want to be the horse capital of the world, we have to give our tracks the tools that will insure the long-term viability of.....the thoroughbred industry. And the tool that everyone else has is expanded gaming at their tracks, and we need that opportunity in order to survive," Flanery said.A bill that would allow video slot machines at horse tracks was defeated by a Kentucky Senate committee during a special legislative session last month.
